Chapter 36
English Lit: Edexcel A Level The Handmaid's Tale, topic 2.12.6
Chapter 36 - Summary and Key Quotations
Offred is back with the Commander who has been drinking again. Offred is given a tacky outfit made of feathers and sequins to wear, which would be illegal by Gilead standards.
"Evening rental"
- Offred is given some makeup which is also contraband.
- The Commander sneaks Offred out of the house. She is hidden by Serena Joy's blue cloak. He whisks her away in his car, chauffeur driven by Nick.
- They end up in an alley behind a building and Nick arranges to meet them later to take them home.
- They get out of the car and the Commander tells Offred that she is an "evening rental".
"Feathers... Freedom..."
- "A handful of feathers … cups … covered in purple sequins"
- A similar outfit features in another of Atwood's novels, Year of the Flood. It's worn by women who work in 'Scales and Tails' – another nightclub/brothel.
- Atwood is clearly concerned by the exploitation of ladies who work in such establishments.
- "Freedom … is relative"
- Offred's life is so restrained that even minor rebellions give her pleasure.
"A tag"
- "He slips around my wrist a tag … ‘an evening rental'"
- The Aunts claim that women are admired in the state. But in places like Jezebel's they are like commodities that can be bought/sold.
Test yourself on Chapter 36
What does Offred say "freedom" is in Chapter 35?